JERUSALEM -- Some of Israel's most prominent actors, artists and directors are refusing to perform in West Bank settlements.

More than 50 artists, actors, directors and playwrights signed a petition last week in response to a report in Haaretz that said some of Israel's leading theatrical groups planned to participate in the opening of a new cultural center in the West Bank city of Ariel in November.

In the petition, the artists said they oppose performing in Israeli settlements located in the West Bank.

At Sunday's cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said the last thing the country needs is a boycott from within Israel.

Depressed about the situation in the Middle East? You may not be looking in the right places

News from Israel/Palestine

by Peter Larson

Israel has carried out deadly bombing raids over Gaza, killling and wounding many in alleged reprisals for a kidnapping/murder in the West Bank. But what effect is its show of muscle having on Israel's reputation around the world?

Several people have written to me in the last week about how discouraged they are about recent developments in the Middle East.

"How much more pain and suffering can anyone endure?""Will it ever change?"

In fact there is lots of reason to be optimistic if you look at what is happening on the world scene.